Art enthusiasts, collectors and residents are invited to visit the studios of local creators during the second annual Four Corners Studio Tour, courtesy of the Cortez Cultural Center. The tour, which opens the creative spaces of area artists to the public, will take place Sept. 19-20 and Sept. 26-27 across Montezuma County.
This year’s event features 21 artists at 14 locations. There, viewers will be able to see artists working in their mediums, whether it be watercolor landscapes, jewelry, paintings, abstract acrylics, photography, mosaics, fiber arts, acrylic abstracts, wood and linoleum block prints, wildlife photography, clayworks, metal sculptures, animal-themed realism sculptures, blown glass and more.
“Our planning team envisioned The Four Corners Studio Tour as a way to connect the public directly with the artists who live and create in Montezuma County,” Susan Lisak, executive director of the Cortez Cultural Center, said. “Rather than simply viewing finished work in a gallery, we want people to be able to see artists in their own creative environments, learn about their processes, ask questions and discover the stories behind their artwork.”
Artist participants include Jan Wright, Sawhorse Ranch Artworks, TJ Rea Horizons, Chance Curiosities, the Southwest Artists League, Pam Duncan Studios, Dine’ Arts Studio with Keith Smith, Woolly Lizard, Jeanne Cain, Wize Owl Handprints, KAK Wildlife Photography, Bloom Creative Arts, Aly Winningham, Tranquil Earth Creations with Touria Berrada, Light Dimensions with Diana Donnelly, eggstomper, HelloZark, Iron Maegan Metalworks with Maegan Crowley, Susan Matteson, Veryl Goodnight Studio and Empty the Cup with Lucy Olechowski.
The locations of the studios, which are spread across Cortez, Dolores and Mancos, are available on the event’s website at fourcornersstudiotour.com. The hours that studios can be visited are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Some artists will participate on both weekends, some only on one. There will also be five temporary artist booths that will operate at the cultural center. All sales during the tour go entirely to the artists.
“It was so fun last year to plan out the route, find friends to go, enjoy lunch in town and meet artists,” Lisak said. “We had rave reviews from those that did the tour last year, both from visitors and artists who had so much fun opening up their studios and selling direct to the public.”
Prior to the studio tours, there will be a free Meet the Artists opening reception from 5-7 p.m. on Sept. 18 at the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St. There will be complimentary appetizers and a cash bar. The reception will also feature a special exhibition featuring one work from each participating artist. The exhibition will remain open through Sept. 26.
Printed maps will be available at the Cortez Cultural Center, Dolores Public Library, Cortez Public Library, Mancos Public Library and Cortez Welcome Center. An interactive Google map and printable PDF are also posted on the event’s website.
For more information about the 2026 tour, contact Lisak at director@cortezculturalcenter.org, 565-1151 or 426-9902.
bduran@the-journal.com
